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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Communication

Brigham Young University

Series

New York Times

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

News In Lights: The Times Square Zipper And Newspaper Signs In An Age Of Technological Enthusiasm, Dale L. Cressman Phd Feb 2018

News In Lights: The Times Square Zipper And Newspaper Signs In An Age Of Technological Enthusiasm, Dale L. Cressman Phd

Faculty Publications

During the latter half of the nineteenth century, when the telegraph had produced an appetite for breaking news, New York City newspaper publishers used signs on their buildings to report headlines and promote their newspapers. Originally chalkboards were used to post headlines. But, fierce competition led to the use of new technologies, such as magic lantern projections. These and, later, electrically lighted signs, would evoke amazement. In 1928, during an age of invention, The New York Times installed an electric "moving letter" sign on its building in Times Square. Popularly known as "the zipper," the monograph drew significant attention from …


From Newspaper Row To Times Square: The Dispersal And Contested Identity Of An Imagined Journalistic Community, Dale L. Cressman Phd Feb 2009

From Newspaper Row To Times Square: The Dispersal And Contested Identity Of An Imagined Journalistic Community, Dale L. Cressman Phd

Faculty Publications

Until the early twentieth century, Park Row was synonymous with New York newspapers. Of the newspapers that left Park Row, The New York Times was notable for having established a geographic landmark that was identified with the newspaper. In fact, by 1906, Times Square had replaced Park Row as a place for New Yorkers to get election night news or to celebrate New Year's Eve. Nevertheless, Times Square did not remain associated with its newspaper namesake, and today a successor to the "zipper" is the last physical reminder of the paper's presence in this area of New York City. Drawing …